Save your Styrofoam till Jan. 11

Friday

Dec 20, 2013 at 2:00 AM

If you unwrapped a gift packed in Styrofoam next week, do the environment a favor and put the packaging aside for the Jan.

Patriot Staff

If you unwrapped a gift packed in Styrofoam next week, do the environment a favor and put the packaging aside for the Jan. 11 regional Styrofoam recycling event at the Barnstable Transfer Station in Marstons Mills. Hours for the free collection are 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Styrofoam is a tricky question when it comes to recycling. In a press release, David Quinn, the county’s regional waste reduction coordinator, notes that it “can be recycled, but it is not accepted at most municipal recycling facilities on Cape Cod.” The light-weight, high-volume material costs a lot to collect and transport. What’s more, “burning Styrofoam produces toxic emissions and, therefore, it should not be discarded with trash if possible.”

The county and town have joined forces with ReFoamlt, LLC, of Leominster, which “densifies” the waste and forms it into heavy blocks that are turned into picture frames, car bumpers, and other new uses.

Check for the #6 recycling symbol with “PS” underneath to identify recyclable Styrofoam. The January collection cannot accept plastic utensils or packing peanuts; the latter can be recycled at UPS and other delivery services.

Unacceptable at this event are foam cups infused with paper or cardboard (McDonald’s and Burger King), cardboard egg cartons, and food containers with plastic film attached.

Businesses can participate, but need to register at 508-872-2323 or 508-964-8723.

“We plan to collect input from residents who attend the event to gauge interest and help determine if it’s feasible for towns to offer more foam recycling options in the future,” Quinn wrote in response to a question about future collections. “We would need to find an end market closer to the Cape and potentially equipment to density the material.”